Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in an car crash, you need to act fast. At Billings Injury Lawyer, we can act quickly to protect your rights and seek maximum compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses.

When you are unexpectedly injured in an auto accident, your life changes in the blink of an eye. All of the sudden, you have medical bills that you need to pay, you need to get your car repaired, and you need to do it all while you try to come to grips with what happened. You probably missed time from work, and you may miss more time in the future.

What do you do? How do you make sure that the consequences of someone else’s mistake do not shape the rest of your life?

At Billings Injury Lawyer, we provide experienced and aggressive legal representation for individuals who have been injured in auto accidents in Montana. Attorney Joe Frick is licensed in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Kansas, and he has been named a Top Ten Personal Injury Attorney by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys. Joe Frick knows what it takes to win fair compensation for auto accident victims, and he is passionate about protecting his clients against the insurance companies that want them to recover as little as possible.

10 Common Auto Accident Claims

The majority of auto accident cases are based on another’s negligence. If someone has made a mistake that caused you harm, the law provides procedures in order for you to seek compensation for all of your losses as a result of the accident. The following are the most common forms of negligence that can entitle you to compensation:

Today, distracted driving is among the leading causes of auto accidents nationwide. Drivers who are talking on their phones, texting, setting GPS directions, adjusting the radio, and doing other things besides driving put themselves and others at a substantially increased risk for being seriously injured in an accident.

Tailgating (or following too closely) significantly increases a driver’s chances of causing an accident. As a rule of thumb, drivers should maintain a two or three-second buffer between their cars and the cars in front of them. Following too closely limits drivers’ visibility and leaves them without enough room to stop safely and avoid a collision.

Speeding is another leading cause of auto accidents. Drivers who are speeding – either driving above the posted speed limit or driving too fast for the weather and road conditions – need more distance to stop and are less able to safely maneuver around other vehicles on the road.

Failure to yield to oncoming traffic is a common factor in many auto accidents. Drivers need to observe yield signs and understand the rules of the road regarding right-of-way. When they do not, they will frequently be liable for any damage and injuries sustained in a resulting collision.

Failing to observe traffic signals, failing to look before changing lanes, failing to use turn signals, and failing to notice that traffic has stopped or slowed up ahead are all common factors in vehicle collisions. Drivers must be aware of their surroundings at all time; and, on the road, even a second of not paying attention can have a lifetime of consequences.

Drunk driving is a persistent problem in Montana and nationwide. Drinking and driving impairs your abilities to both identify and react to risks on the road. Although it is important to look out for signs of drunk driving and try to avoid those drivers, in most cases, there is not enough time to react and avoid being injured in a drunk driving collision.

There are various forms of reckless driving that can lead to serious auto accidents. From speeding excessively to weaving in and out of traffic, reckless driving is frequently a factor in collisions involving severe traumatic injuries.

Running red lights and stop signs is extremely dangerous and often results in traumatic collisions. Whether due to being drunk or distracted, or simply trying to “beat” a yellow light, drivers who run red lights and stop signs are liable for the accidents and injuries that they case and deserve to be held accountable for all the damage they cause.

On the road, almost any error behind the wheel has the potential to lead to a life-changing accident. If you have been injured in a collision, it is critical that you speak with a car accident attorney who can quickly conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and make sure that you recover the compensation you deserve.

Other Common Causes of Auto Accidents

Although negligent driving is a major cause of car crashes, there are countless other issues that can lead to auto accidents. At Billings Injury Lawyer, we represent clients in all types of auto accident claims. In every case, we investigate and identify all responsible parties to maximize our clients’ financial recoveries.

Some of the other potential causes of auto accidents and accident-related injuries that can entitle victims to seek financial compensation include:

Vehicle Defects

Vehicle defects are far more common than most people realize. Each year, auto manufacturers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall millions of vehicles for known safety-related issues. When airbags, ignition switches, faulty brakes, tire components, and other issues lead to car crashes and injuries, manufacturers and dealers can be held financially responsible for the victims’ losses.

Negligent Hiring and Entrustment

An employer may be held liable if the individual who caused the accident was driving for work. If the employee is not properly licensed or qualified, or if the employer knows or should have known that the employee could cause an accident, the employer may be held liable for their employees’ negligence under a legal doctrine known as “respondeat superior.”

Road Defects

Another cause of car crashes are improper road design and road maintenance issues. From inadequate lighting to unrepaired potholes, in many cases state highway agencies and private contractors can be held liable for accidents caused by road defects.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

In any case, there are certain steps that you can take to protect your legal rights. The cause of the accident may not be known at first. However, a Billings personal injury lawyer will investigate the cause of the accident for you, and the key for you right now is simply to make sure that you get the help needed to recover the compensation deserved.

If you have been injured in an accident in Montana, you should:

Seek medical attention for your injuries. If you do not require emergency medical treatment at the scene of the accident, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. Be sure to describe the situation and the accident to your doctor in as much detail as possible so that the doctor may perform all the necessary testing so that your receive a comprehensive diagnosis.

Follow your doctor’s advice. Following your doctor’s advice is the best way to make sure that you recover as completely and quickly as possible, and you do not want the insurance companies to be able to claim that you made your condition worse by returning to work or engaging in other activities too

Collect as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Take photos of everything (the accident scene, the damage to each vehicle, and your injuries), collect names and contact information from any witnesses, and make sure to keep copies of any bills and receipts related to your medical treatment and other accident-related

Once you report the accident, avoid speaking with your insurance adjuster. At Billings Injury Lawyer, we will deal with the insurance companies for you. You need to avoid giving a recorded statement or supplying the insurance companies with any other information that they may later try to use against you. Remember, it is their job to pay as little as possible for any claim.

Seek experienced legal representation before you make any decisions about your claim. You should never assume that you were at fault in an accident, and you should never accept an insurance settlement without first making sure that it will fully cover your accident-related losses. At Billings Injury Lawyer, we can walk you through all of the steps you need to take to protect your legal rights and help you avoid settling too

Schedule a Free Auto Accident Consultation at Billings Injury Lawyer

To speak with injury attorney Joe Frick about your auto accident claim in Montana, contact Billings Injury Lawyer for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re here when you need us, so call (406) 206-2254 or get in touch with us online now.